In Silhouette

The poems In W. C. Flewelling's fifth collection, IN SILHOUETTE, present the acute observation of people and nature whose meanings lie beneath the quiet surface of domestic life, meanings only a poet's sure hand can uncover. John Mann, Poet and friend I enjoyed the collection, though I might be tempted to call it "The Dog man, The Poet and The Preacher"! "Assignation of Delight" is one of my absolute favorites. I'm glad it's here. (Also love "The Old Goat's Name" -- with its endearing revelation of "Bill"! -- and "Unfolding of the Night" - what a gorgeous spare poem that is!) I enjoy the animal and nature poems as ever. In the aggregate, they capture your sense and sound appealingly. The poems that touch grief, illness & dying are especially effective. As are your poems about children. Interestingly, I find the final poems -- say from the mid-90s to the end -- some of the clearest, sharpest and most gratifying of the bunch. Each one pops. It's almost as if the book increases momentum as it nears its end. Guy Kettelhack, poet and friend